Construction unit

ABSTRACT

A construction unit is disclosed as including a head, two legs with a space therebetween, a first arm and a second arm, in which the first arm includes a female end, the second arm includes a male end receivable within a female end of a first arm of an adjacent construction unit for releasably engaging the construction unit with the adjacent construction unit, and the head is receivable within a space between leg members of an adjacent construction unit for releasably engaging the construction unit with the adjacent construction unit.

This invention relates to a construction unit and, in particular suchunits which are releasably inter-engageable to form articles of variousshapes and configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are in existence a large variety of construction units which maybe engaged with one another according to the wish of the users. However,most such units are limited in the ways in which they may beinter-engaged with one another, thus limiting the use of suchconstruction units.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a constructionunit in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated, or at least toprovide a useful alternative to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda construction unit including a head member; at least two leg memberswith a space therebetween; at least a first arm member and a second armmember; wherein said first arm member includes a female end member;wherein said second arm member includes a male end member receivablewithin a female end member of a first arm member of an adjacentconstruction unit for releasably engaging said construction unit withsaid adjacent construction unit; and wherein said head member isreceivable within a space between leg members of an adjacentconstruction unit for releasably engaging said construction unit withsaid adjacent construction unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda toy set including a plurality of construction units, wherein each saidconstruction unit includes a head member; at least two leg members witha space therebetween; at least a first arm member and a second armmember; wherein said first arm member includes a female end member;wherein said second arm member includes a male end member receivablewithin a female end member of a first arm member of an adjacentconstruction unit for releasably engaging said construction unit withsaid adjacent construction unit; and wherein said head member isreceivable within a space between leg members of an adjacentconstruction unit for releasably engaging said construction unit withsaid adjacent construction unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is providedan article constructed of a plurality of construction units, whereineach said construction unit includes a head member; at least two legmembers with a space therebetween; at least a first arm member and asecond arm member; wherein said first arm member includes a female endmember; wherein said second arm member includes a male end memberreceivable within a female end member of a first arm member of anadjacent construction unit for releasably engaging said constructionunit with said adjacent construction unit; and wherein said head memberis receivable within a space between leg members of an adjacentconstruction unit for releasably engaging said construction unit withsaid adjacent construction unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a construction unit according to a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the construction unit shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the construction unit shown in FIG.1;

FIGS. 6 to 43 show various manners in which two construction units asshown in FIG. 1 may be releasably engaged with each other;

FIG. 44 is a front view of a construct unit according to a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 45;

FIG. 46 is a front perspective view of the construction unit shown inFIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a rear perspective view of the construction unit shown inFIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is a front view of a construction unit according to a thirdpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a front perspective view of the construction unit shown inFIG. 48;

FIG. 51 is a coaster constructed of a number of the construction unitsas shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 52 is a floor mat constructed of a number of the construction unitsas shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 53 is a pen holder constructed of a number of the constructionunits as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 54 is a figurine dog constructed of a number of the constructionunits as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 55 is a chessboard and chess pieces constructed of a number of theconstruction units as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 56 is an alternative configuration of the chessboard and chesspieces shown in FIG. 55.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A construction unit according to a first preferred embodiment of this isshown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and generally designated as 100. The constructionunit 100 may be made of a plastics material, to allow flexibility andresilience during manipulation. The construction unit 100 is roughly inthe shape of a human being, having a head 102, a pair of arms 104, 106joined with the head 102 via a neck 108, and a pair of legs 110, 112joined with the arms 104, 106 via a trunk 114. Each of the legs 110 endswith a respective extremity portion 116 which is substantially square incross-section, as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3, it can be seen that the head102 is of a generally circular shape with a centre S, and a diameter d.Between the legs 110, 112 is a space 118 having a circular part with acentre T, and a diameter d. By way of such an arrangement, the head 102of a construction unit may be fitted into the space 118 of anotherconstruction unit to allow the two construction units to be releasablyengaged with each other.

To allow for more ways in which a plurality of construction units 100may be releasably inter-engaged with one another, the thickness of theconstruction unit 100, k, is equal to (a) the width, k, of the extremityportion 116, (b) the distance, k, between the two extremity portions116, (c) the width, k, of the trunk 114, (d) the width, k, of the neck108, (e) the width, k, of the arm 104, and (f) the width, k, of the arm106.

The arm 104 has an end 120 which is a part regular hexagon, with acentre R. The arm 106 has an end 122 with an part circular outerperiphery 124 and an inner part regular hexagonal space 126, both with acentre at R. The diameter, d, of the circular periphery 124 of the end122 is the same as the diameter, d, of the head 102. The end 120 of thearm 104 is sized and configured to be fitted within the space 126 of thearm 106. The width, k, of the entrance of the space 126 is also the sameas the thickness, k, of the construction unit 100.

The line ST and the line PR intersect at the point Q at 90°, and thelength of QT equals the length of SQ, and the length of RQ equals thelength of QP.

With such an arrangement, two and more construction units 100 may bereleasably inter-engaged with one another in a large variety of manners,as shown in FIGS. 6 to 43 and briefly discussed below.

In FIG. 6, the trunk 114 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 126 of the arm 106 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 7, the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the two extremity portions 116 of an adjacentconstruction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 8, the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 126 of the arm 106 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 9, the end 122 of the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 118 between the legs 110, 112of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of thetwo construction units 100 are parallel to and co-planar with eachother.

In FIG. 10, the end 122 of the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 isalso shown as being received within the space 118 between the legs 110,112 of an adjacent construction unit 100, whereas in this arrangement,the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 are perpendicularto each other.

In FIG. 11, the end 120 of the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm106 of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces ofthe two construction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 12, the two extremity portions 116 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received the space 118 between the legs 110, 112 of anadjacent construction unit, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 13, the end 120 of the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm106 of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces ofthe two construction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 14, an extremity portion 116 of a construction unit 100 is shownas being received between the extremity portions 116 of an adjacentconstruction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 15, the end 122 of the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being inter-engaged with the end 122 of the arm 106 of anadjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 16, the neck 108 of a construction unit construction unit 100 isshown as being received between the extremity portions 116 of anadjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 17, the end 120 of the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm106 of an adjacent construction unit 100 in an upside-down manner, inwhich the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 are parallelto and co-planar with each other.

In FIG. 18, the end 120 of the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 118 between the legs 110, 112of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of thetwo construction units 100 are parallel to and co-planar with eachother.

In FIG. 19, the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived between the extremity portions 116 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 20, a portion of the leg 110 of a construction unit 100, whichis near the trunk 114, is shown as being received between the extremityportions 116 of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the majorsurfaces of the two construction units 100 are perpendicular to eachother.

In FIG. 21, a portion of the leg 110 of a construction unit 100, whichis near the extremity portion 116, is shown as being received betweenthe extremity portions 116 of an adjacent construction unit 100, inwhich the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 areperpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 22, the trunk 114 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingengaged with the end 122 of the arm 106 of an adjacent construction unit100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 areperpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 23, the neck 108 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 118 between the legs 110, 112 of an adjacentconstruction unit, in which the major surfaces of the two constructionunits 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 24, the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingengaged with the end 122 of the arm 106 of an adjacent constructionunit, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 areperpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 25, the head 102 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 118 between the legs 110, 112 of an adjacentconstruction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are parallel to and co-planar with each other. Itcan also be seen that the extremity portions 116 of the legs 110, 112 ofthe construction unit 100 are in abutment with the arms 104, 106 of theadjacent construction unit 100.

In FIG. 26, the end 122 of the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 118 between the legs 110, 112of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of thetwo construction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 27, the leg 112 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingengaged with the end 122 of the arm 106 of an adjacent construction unit100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 areperpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 28, the end 120 of the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm106 of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces ofthe two construction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 29, the part where the arms 104, 106 of a construction unit 100join each other is shown as being received between the extremityportions 116 of an adjacent construction unit 100, and vice versa, inwhich the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 areperpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 30, the neck 108 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived the space 118 between the legs 110, 112 of an adjacentconstruction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are at an obtuse angle between each other.

In FIG. 31, the head 102 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 118 between the legs 110, 112 of an adjacentconstruction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are parallel to and co-planar with each other.

In FIG. 32, the neck 108 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived between the extremity portions 116 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 33, the neck 108 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm 106 of an adjacentconstruction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 34, the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm 106 of anadjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 35, the end 122 of the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being engaged with the trunk 114 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, and the trunk 114 of the adjacent construction unit 100 isengaged between the extremity portions 116 of the construction unit 100,in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100 areperpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 36, the trunk 114 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingengaged between the extremity portions 116 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 37, the arm 106 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingengaged between the extremity portions 116 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 38, an extremity portion 116 of a leg 112 of a construction unit100 is shown as being engaged with the end 122 of the arm 106 of anadjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 39, the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingengaged between the extremity portions 116 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 40, the end 120 of the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 isshown as being received within the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm106 of an adjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces ofthe two construction units 100 are parallel to and co-planar with eachother.

In FIG. 41, the head 102 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 118 between the legs 110, 112 of an adjacentconstruction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 42, the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingreceived within the space 126 of the end 122 of the arm 106 of anadjacent construction unit 100, in which the major surfaces of the twoconstruction units 100 are perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 43, the arm 104 of a construction unit 100 is shown as beingengaged between the extremity portions 116 of an adjacent constructionunit 100, in which the major surfaces of the two construction units 100are perpendicular to each other.

A construction unit according to a second preferred embodiment of thisis shown in FIGS. 44 to 47, and generally designated as 200. As comparedwith the construction unit 100 discussed, the construction unit 200differs in the following respects:

-   a. a head 202 of the construction unit 200 is of a generally regular    hexagonal shape;-   b. a space 218 between legs 210, 212 of the construction unit 200 is    of a generally regular hexagonal shape; and-   c. an end 222 of an arm 206 has a part hexagonal outer periphery    224.

By way of such an arrangement, a number of construction units 200 mayalso be releasably inter-engaged with one another in a large variety ofways.

A construction unit according to a third preferred embodiment of this isshown in FIGS. 48 to 50, and generally designated as 300. As comparedwith the construction units 100, 200 discussed, the construction unit300 differs in the following respects:

-   d. a head 302 of the construction unit 300 is of a generally regular    pentagonal shape;-   e. a space 318 between legs 310, 312 of the construction unit 300 is    of a generally regular pentagonal shape; and-   f. an end 322 of an arm 306 has a part pentagonal outer periphery    324.

Again, by way of such an arrangement, a number of construction units 300may also be releasably inter-engaged with one another in a large varietyof ways.

A number of construction units 100 may be provided as toy pieces,allowing a player, e.g. a child, to build various toys by inter-engagingthe construction units with one another other in various manners andways. The same also applies to the construction units 200 and 300.

As shown in FIG. 51, a generally square coaster 400 is shown as beingconstructed of sixteen construction units 100. In a larger scale, and asshown in FIG. 52, a floor mat 500 is shown as being constructed of alarger number of construction units 100.

While the coast 400 shown in FIG. 51 and the floor mat 500 in FIG. 52are generally speaking two-dimensional articles, the construction units100 may be inter-engaged with one another to form three-dimensionalarticles, e.g. a stationery item such as a pen holder 600 as shown inFIG. 53, and a figurine animal, such as a figurine dog 700 as shown inFIG. 54.

The construction units 100 may be inter-engaged with each other, asshown in FIGS. 55 and 56, to form a chessboard 902. The sameconstruction units 100 may also act as the chess pieces 904 movable by auser on the chessboard 902 to occupy different positions, for playing achess game. A distinct advantage of such an arrangement is that even incases where a chess piece is lost, a construction unit 100 may bedisengaged from the chessboard 902 to replace the missing chess piece904. On the other hand, when a chess piece 902 is captured, the winningplayer does not have to look for space for storing the chess piece 902,but only has to engage the captured chess piece 904 with the chessboard902 for storage.

It should be understood that the above only illustrates examples wherebythe present invention may be carried out, and that various modificationsand/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spiritof the invention.

It should also be understood that certain features of the invention,which are, for clarity, described in the context of separateembodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment.Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity,described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be providedseparately or in any appropriate sub-combinations.

1. A construction unit including: a head member; at least two legmembers with a space therebetween; at least a first arm member and asecond arm member; wherein said first arm member includes a female endmember; wherein said second arm member includes a male end memberreceivable within a female end member of a first arm member of anadjacent construction unit for releasably engaging said constructionunit with said adjacent construction unit; and wherein said head memberis receivable within a space between leg members of an adjacentconstruction unit for releasably engaging said construction unit withsaid adjacent construction unit.
 2. A construction unit according toclaim 1 wherein said head member is generally circular in shape.
 3. Aconstruction unit according to claim 1 wherein said space between saidtwo leg members includes a part which is generally circular in shape. 4.A construction unit according to claim 2 wherein said part of said spacebetween said two leg members which is generally circular in shape is ofa diameter substantially the same as a diameter of said head member. 5.A construction unit according to claim 1 wherein said male end member ofsaid second arm member is receivable within said female end member ofsaid first arm member of said adjacent construction unit for releasablyengaging said construction unit with said adjacent construction unit ina first configuration wherein a major surface of said construction unitis substantially parallel with a major surface of said adjacentconstruction unit, and a second configuration wherein said major surfaceof said construction unit is substantially perpendicular to said majorsurface of said adjacent construction unit.
 6. A construction unitaccording to claim 1 wherein said male member of said second arm memberis generally hexagonal in shape.
 7. A construction unit according toclaim 1 wherein said female member of said first arm member includes agenerally hexagonal space.
 8. A construction unit according to claim 1wherein said head member is joined with said first and second armmembers via a neck member.
 9. A construction unit according to claim 1wherein said first and second arm members are joined with said legmembers via a trunk member.
 10. A construction unit according to claim 1wherein each of said arm members is of a width substantially the same asthe thickness of said construction unit.
 11. A construction unitaccording to claim 8 wherein said neck member is substantially as wideas said first arm member.
 12. A construction unit according to claim 9wherein said trunk member is substantially as wide as said first armmember.
 13. A construction unit according to claim 1 wherein anextremity of one said leg member is substantially as wide as said firstarm member.
 14. A construction unit according to claim 1 wherein thedistance between an extremity of each respective leg member issubstantially as wide as said first arm member.
 15. A construction unitaccording to claim 1 wherein said head member is generally hexagonal inshape.
 16. A construction unit according to claim 1 wherein said spacebetween said two leg members includes a part which is generallyhexagonal in shape.
 17. A construction unit according to claim 1 whereinsaid head member is generally pentagonal in shape.
 18. A constructionunit according to claim 1 wherein said space between said two legmembers includes a part which is generally pentagonal in shape.
 19. Atoy set including a plurality of construction units according toclaim
 1. 20. A toy set according to claim 19 comprising a chessboard andchess pieces constructed of a plurality of said construction units. 21.An article constructed of a plurality of construction units according toclaim
 1. 22. An article according to claim 21 wherein said articlecomprises a stationery item.
 23. An article according to claim 22wherein said stationery item comprises a pen holder.
 24. An articleaccording to claim 21 wherein said article comprises a figurine animal.25. An article according to claim 24 wherein said figurine animalcomprises a figurine dog.
 26. An article according to claim 21 whereinsaid article comprises a coaster.
 27. An article according to claim 21wherein said article comprises a floor mat.